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Blue Origin · Rocket Failure · Satellite Launch · Space Industry
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket failed its first commercial mission for AST SpaceMobile, placing the BlueBird 7 satellite into an unsustainably low orbit, leading to its re-entry and destruction.
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp confirmed one of the second stage's BE-3U engines underperformed, failing to achieve the target orbit. AST SpaceMobile stated the satellite, its seventh full-size mobile-broadband unit, separated and powered on but was too low to sustain operations, and it will be de-orbited with costs recovered under its insurance policy.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the malfunction and has grounded the rocket, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel. This incident is a significant setback for Blue Origin's commercial launch capabilities and for AST SpaceMobile's ambitious goal of deploying 45 BlueBird satellites by year-end to support direct-to-phone roaming with partners like AT&T and Verizon.
Blue Origin's next mission will test its Blue Moon Mark 1 lunar lander, not AST hardware.
